Pakistan Set 297-Run Target for England in Second Test at Multan

Thu Oct 17 2024
icon-facebook icon-twitter icon-whatsapp

MULTAN: Pakistan has set a competitive 297-run target for England to win the second Test at the Multan Cricket Stadium on Thursday, after a gritty second innings that saw Pakistan post 221 runs.

The home side, led by captain Shan Masood, managed to extend their lead following a valiant performance from the lower order, particularly Salman Ali Agha.

Agha played a crucial innings of 63, forming a 65-run ninth-wicket partnership that helped push Pakistan’s lead to a competitive 296.

Pakistan started their second innings after bowling out England for 291, securing a slender 75-run lead from the first innings. England had been in pursuit of Pakistan’s first-innings total of 366, but a stellar bowling performance from Sajid Khan turned the tide.

Abdullah Shafique once again struggled with the bat, dismissed for just 4 runs—his tenth single-figure score in 14 innings. Pakistan’s top order faltered with Shan Masood (11) and Saim Ayub (22) offering little resistance, while Kamran Ghulam contributed 26 runs.

Sajid Khan and Saim Ayub both added 22 runs each to give Pakistan some breathing room as the innings progressed.

England’s reply in the first innings was led by Ben Duckett, who scored a well-crafted 114, but his efforts weren’t enough to give England a substantial lead. Joe Root added 34, while Zak Crawley (27) and Ollie Pope (29) made steady contributions, but none could match Duckett’s resilience.

Sajid Khan’s magical seven-wicket haul dismantled England’s middle order, while Noman Ali chipped in with three wickets to wrap up the innings.

As Pakistan began their second innings, they suffered early setbacks with Shafique and Masood falling cheaply. Saim Ayub and Kamran Ghulam tried to build a foundation, but England’s bowlers, particularly Jack Leach and Brydon Carse, kept Pakistan under pressure. Leach was England’s standout bowler in the first innings, claiming four wickets, while Carse took three.

Kamran Ghulam, who replaced regular captain Babar Azam in the XI, shone in Pakistan’s first innings, scoring a commanding 118. His partnership of 149 runs with Saim Ayub (77) helped Pakistan recover from early blows, setting up a total of 366. Mohammad Rizwan added 41 runs before being dismissed by Shoaib Bashir.

Pakistan’s bowling attack, led by Sajid Khan, proved decisive in restricting England to 291. Sajid’s seven-wicket spell removed key players like Joe Root and Ben Duckett, while Noman Ali delivered timely breakthroughs, dismissing Ben Stokes for just one run.

icon-facebook icon-twitter icon-whatsapp